[tofer76]

Weed eater questions??

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i am looking for a new trimmer and i bought a troy bilt tb80ec and after reading the reviews i think i will return it as i havent taken it out of the box yet

so i am wondering about new trimmers
i had a weedeater sst25 for a few years but the last couple it would run hard and it finnaly died out
i trim about 3/4 acre and only about every other week if not 3 as i live in the country so im not out to win yard of the year or anything

i also dont really want to drop 250 to 300 on a trimmer that gets use 6 or 7 times a year but i realize you get what you pay for so

is it better to go with a entry level 4 stroke or a top line 2 stroke
what features as in durability , cost, and such would i look for
what trimmers are amung the best you used and why


thanks

 

[Dr.NewEarth]

Is it worth buying a cheap trimmer that only get you say 250 hours before it dies?

I would spend a few hundred and get a decent long shaft trimmer and
maintain it so it lasts a long time.

I like the weight of an Echo, I find the Stihl to be a bit heavier.

Currently I only use 2 cycle trimmers and blowers.

I have 2 and 4 cycle lawn mowers though.

 

[06LTNox]

I picked up a Stihl FS90 last year and its been great so far. You pay more up front, but you get a lot more machine then if you get a cheaper model at say Wal-Mart. Echos are not bad either.

 

[assemblage]

I have an echo high torque I got a few years ago. I got a new Sthil stick edger a couple weeks ago. They're different products and the echo is commercial and the Stihl is consumer.

The echo is harder to start, even when it was new, but it does. Compared to the Stihl, it's louder and the engine area gets hot... which is a hassle since it's close to the arm and body. It has less of a plastic shroud which accounts for this and makes it look less bulky, but from using the Stihl, I can't tell the difference when using it.. The trigger and buttons are more solid feeling than the Stihl. The Echo is heavier... but it's a commercial and engine is probably bigger.

On the Echo, I put a brush cutting kit on it to clear out some brush. It'd go through some 1" baby pine trees easy. I think the high torque head makes it able to do that good. However, I think the regular head would spin the trimmer line faster and do better with the non woody weeds. That's the thing though, it's a hassle to change from the brush cutter to the trimmer head. It's just a bolt that holds the blade but if I want the line cutter on the other shroud, then I have to change the shroud which is a few more screws and nuts.

If I had to change them a lot, that'd be a good argument for a Combination unit. Both Echo and Stihl makes them. That way I'd just change out the head and go at it. I like some of the other attachments, like the bush cutter, sweeper and power rake... but they are pricy.

I went with Stihl this time because all the full service lawn shops in my area carry them and the aren't carrying Echo. If I need parts or service, then it's easy.

I haven't used a 4 stroke stick power tool. I'd assume it'd be heavier and possibly weaker and have lube issues if it get turned upside down.

I'd drop 250 to 300 on a trimmer that gets use 6 or 7 times a year. Crap tools can just make the job harder and add to frustration.

 

[tofer76]

ok so i did a bit of looking and online rewiew reading and i have kinda come to decide between the
echo srm-225
or
stihl fs55r

both same price
if i buy a 6 pack of oil for 15 bucks then they double the stihls warranty to 4 years and right now i can get 15 buck of free string
echos is 5 years anytime

i have read home depots reviews for the echo and its 4.5 out of 5 on 67 reviews
but im not sure ill like the tiny guard on it

and the stihl will accept brush blades where as the echo does not im told

dealers are 15 min from me as is a stihl service center so

please advise??!!

 

[dboyd351]

Husqvarna trimmers have been getting really good reviews the last few years. Do a search on Husky trimmers here on Lawnsite.
Also, Tanaka/Hitachi (same trimmer) makes a really nice trimmer with a 7 year homeowner warrenty. I've got the Tanaka TCG22EASSLP and love it! Only weighs 9.7 pounds, has excellent balence and plenty of power even though it is only a 21cc engine. After the rebate it costs about $170. Read the reviews on Amazon and you'll see how good it is. The drawback is that dealers are few and far between.

 

[Dr.NewEarth]

Attachments for the Stihl won't fit Echo unfortunately. The male female ends differ.
I wish some-one had an adaptor.

John Deere and Ryobi 2 cycle attachments fit the Echo's multi tool engines.

 

[dboyd351]

Don't know about Stihl attachments fitting on Echo, but there is a guy on here that uses the Ryobi expand-it attachments on his Stihl. The ryobi attachments are compatible with Troybilt, Poulan, MTD, Craftsman and just about every homeowner brand under the sun. The attachments certainly aren't built like a Stihl, Echo or other pro brand, but if you only use them occasionally, it's a way to get into the game at 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

 

[WoodinVirginia]

tofer
If I was you and I only had to do 3/4 of an acre trimming I would NOT be looking at the expense of dropping 250 or above into a trimmer. I recently had to do make the same choice as you when my 32cc Craftsman trimmer died on me after 12 years of use & it was one of those convertible models. The only difference I have is that I trim 2.50 Acres and I am 6 ft 4 inches in height. Your Height is Very important in the choice of a trimmer because some of these new trimmers will wear you down by huncing over them if you are more then 6 ft tall & the trimmer is made for a shorter user. Make sure the trimmers feel comfortable to you... that doesn't mean looking at a catalog that means going to the store & picking them up!


I wanted my next unit to be a combi model because I was used to the combi system I had before with an edger, pruner brush unit & the other available attachments. Even though I purchased the Stihl product for myself (because of its long straight length trimmer felt just right). I would have gone with the Cub Cadet trimmer if I were 6 ft or less in height, the 2cycle model was 149 or the 4cycle model is on Sale this month at Tractor supply for 199. All the newer trimmers seemed to short for me or too heavy in their Combi models. I looked at different ones and did the same analysis you did.
{One more reason I went with the Stihl now is cause of my height & the fact that I already have a Stihl Chain saw So when I mix gas I only want 1 mix around.. 50 to 1. I don't want to have one gallon mixed 40 to 1 for this machine & one bottle mixed 40 -1 for that machine. etc.. Plus because I have a Farm next to my home I can get a tax deduction for my adding some more equipment... If I got no tax benefit I would have gone to a less expensive machine. BTW check the dealers around your area to see where their customers get non-ethanol fuel it makes a difference. I get many years of service out of my machines because I use non ethanol (Marine Grade) stabil mixed gas in ALL of my equipment ! Good Luck in your decision.

 

[WoodinVirginia]

Dboyd351

Hate to join you in a pissing contest but Ryobi attachments wont fit the Stihl Combi system....

I have 4 Ryobi/Craftsman/John Deere attachments & none of them will fit a Stihl.

Now I do wonder if Echo attachments will fit the Stihl combi units because their attachment looks similar.

 

[dboyd351]

WoodinVirginia,
I'll admit that reference to the Stihl using Ryobi attachments isn't firsthand. There's a guy named Alan, whose avatar is Sarah Palin that posts on here a lot. He has mentioned on several occasions that there is a user on Lawnsite that uses the homeowner attachments on his Stihl. That's what I was referring to.

Don't know if you are aware of it, but Stihl has 2 ways of attaching tools to different powerheads. You can either use the Kombi system or go the old fashioned route of changing out the attachment at the gearbox at the end of the boom. I believe the guy Alan was referring to was using the Kombi system, but am not positive.

I do know from firsthand experience that the Troy-bilt, Poulan and Craftsman split shaft motors and attachments will interchange. The Poulan pole saw attachment I bought states that all those and a bunch of other homeowner brands will interchange.

 

[WoodinVirginia]

Dboyd351
I am referring to first hand experience using the Kombi system. My Stihl KM90R is the powerhead for the kombi system and as I previously mentioned I have 4 Ryobi attachments, they don't fit the stihl. Now I 'll be the first to admit I don't have any Stihl "old fashioned" equipment that mounts like you suggest . So perhaps you should give us some part numbers before you go spouting off about hearsay. Thanking you in advance.

 

[dboyd351]

WoodinVirginia

Read this thread:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=329727&highlight=Stihl+Kombi,+Ryobi+attachments

You're welcome in advance.

 

[FINELAWNS]

The internet is not the best place to get reviews on a trimmer . Check with any of the guys
mowing grass in you neiborhood .Buy your equipment from a dealer that can fix it,no from homedepot or lowes. A sthil for 299 will last you 20 years. and remember to use !!!only!!!
High octane gas on any 2 cycle engine.

 

[tofer76]

we thank you all for your advice thus far but now (in my searching) have come across the husqvarna 128dlx and the 128ldx for after searching i can find no difference except the dlx is 30 bucks more and comes with a brush blade and j grip
and the ldx seems to be the model that is being phased out and can only be found in lowes around me

anyway the pros are (to me)
1 28cc motor (larger than the stihl fs55r)
2 split shaft (able to use attachments)
3 nice debris guard
4 a bit longer than the other straight shafts i have been thinking about

cons
1 a bit heavier
2 2 year warranty ( stihl has a 4yr)
3 never used or know of anyone with husky so i have no educated opinions

 

[dboyd351]

The Husky 223L is a better grade of trimmer than the 128, but unfortunately the 223/323 line doesn't appear to be available with a split shaft, so you can use other tools. The 223/323 line has been getting really good reviews, the 128 line is considered a notch lower, both by reviewers and by Husky (128 is homeowner grade, 223/323 is landowner grade).
Husky does make several grades of trimmers and the 128 is actually assembled for Husky by Poulan specifically to be able to use attachments Lowes sells.

The following is from a review of the 128 ld.

Beginning of Review:

"The post about the 128ld inspired me to contact husqvarna about the differences between the poulan pro 33cc model the husqvarna 128ld model. I am posting their response below. First, I want to give my opinion.

On a personal note, I have owned both models. The Husqvarna greatly outperforms the Poulan pro. First, on a scale of 1 to 10 the Husqvarna earns an 9 for startup; the Poulan earns a 6. Second, and most important to me, the Poulan's vibration fatigue is unbearable after several hours of work. On the other hand, the husqvarna is relatively smooth and creates almost no vibration fatigue after several hours of work. Third, the Poulan has more power; however, the difference in power is negligible at best. When considering the differences in start-up and vibration fatigue there is no question the Husqvarna is worth the extra $100.00. Now, the review.

Husqvarna's customer service has been excellent. The first paragraph contains my questions only. By the way, I appreciate the argument that Husqvarna is made by Poulan with the same part numbers. However, a $60,000 Cadillac does have some parts that are the same as a $20,000 Chevrolet.

What is the difference between the 128ld and the 128ldx? I have read many different stories online. Are the motors the same? Is the 128LD a cheaper built model? How is the 128ld different from a poulan pro 33c $100.00 walmart trimmer?

128 models have the same engine, but the LD version is different from the LDx version. Lowe's has been selling trimmer attachments for several years, a product line they wished to take advantage of, so the 128LD units were modified from the LDx version to accept the attachments they were already selling.
The 128 engines are built for Husqvarna by Poulan, but are constructed of Swedish specified parts; the Poulan units are built of similar but different engine construction of Poulan design and construction. If the WalMart unit is not of LD/LDx design that would also accout for cost/price differences."

End of review

So, if you want to use less expensive homeowner grade attachments, the Husky 128ldx may be a good choice, but if you want a high quality trimmer without attachment capability, the 223/323 line is a better bet.

Good luck on your decision. I'd still do a search on Lawnsite for the models you are considering.

 

[tofer76]

o have done about 2 weeks or review reading and looking but just cant seem to pick yet
1 stihl fs55r
2 husqvarna 128ld (lowes version) so i can buy and use the various attachments
3 husqvarna 128ldx ( might be a better grade than above but attachments are double the price
4 poulan pro pp133 with the pole pruner (largest motor)


all above are aprox the same price

 

[dboyd351]

One more to consider:
The Stihl KM 55 R. It's a Kombi motor, so it can use attachments. It's $200, but without any attachment, so you'll have to buy the trimmer head. The dealers sometimes offer substantial discounts on the first attachment if you buy the Kombi powerhead.
Even though Stihl says The KM 55 R is for occasional or light duty professional use, I believe this would be a better quality tool than the lowest grade Husky (the 128).
I think it is definitely a higher quality tool than the Poulan Pro.
If you can get your Stihl dealer to give you a break on the price of the trimmer attachment, the KM 55 R might be your best bet for an attachment capable trimmer, epecially since you say you can get a 4 year warrenty if you buy six pack of oil. That would be my choice.

 

[Vecchio Lawn Care]

i bought a straight shaft cub cadet trimmer. it cost me 150 and is very reliable. very powerful but a little bit heavy. Came with an edger also. Good deal.